How are countries around the world fighting desertification

The sustainable management principles of desert greening projects.

Desert greening refers to the process of human-initiated cultivation of desert and adjacent transitional zones, and it has become a buzzword in recent years, particularly in the Middle East. Specifically, desert greening aims to reclaim desert land resources through engineering measures for ecological (biodiversity), agricultural cultivation, and forestry purposes, as well as for livestock farming.

The scientific allocation and use of water resources is of particular importance in arid and semi-arid regions. According to the way water resources are managed and used, desert greening projects are also divided into traditional and sustainable. The first is to obtain food and vegetable supplies, urban construction, and political purposes, people either dig canals or deep Wells to obtain additional water resources to achieve engineering goals. In the late 20th century, some North African countries, for political propaganda purposes, dug deep Wells in the oasis, extracted groundwater, and developed agriculture, which had been widely concerned by the international community and worried about it. Because groundwater is the life source of oasis, digging deep Wells for agricultural operations, while obtaining certain crops, is equivalent to putting deep groundwater on the hot sand illuminated by the sun to evaporate. When the intensity of water extraction increases, it will seriously affect the groundwater level of oasis, and in the long run, it will lead to the disappearance of oasis.

The Great Green Wall project in Africa.

The desert greening projects based on sustainable development principles differ significantly. They do not affect the original distribution of water resources in desert areas but instead employ modern water-saving technologies and systematic management approaches to enhance the ecological carrying capacity of the desert. These projects aim to obtain agricultural economic benefits while minimizing negative impacts on the ecosystem as much as possible. Sustainable desert greening projects have the potential to alleviate water, energy, and food crises. On the other hand, approaches that disregard water supply conditions and solely focus on increasing agricultural and pastoral GDP in arid and semi-arid desert areas often result in environmental degradation.

The ecological environment and sustainable development of arid and semi-arid regions are important fields of scientific research in geography, agriculture, ecology and so on. Eco-technology integration systems that technically combine solar energy, desalination, water-efficient agriculture and facility agriculture are already being tested in the Middle East for agricultural production, but the current problem with this system is that it is expensive. Such a system is actually the use of cross-border ideas in the process of desertification control in sandy areas, with the idea of coastal seawater desalination, the development of water-saving modern agriculture, but combined with the actual situation in sandy areas, increase the water recycling technology.

The ecological environment and sustainable development of arid and semi-arid regions are important fields of scientific research in geography, agriculture, ecology and so on. Eco-technology integration systems that technically combine solar energy, desalination, water-efficient agriculture and facility agriculture are already being tested in the Middle East for agricultural production, but the current problem with this system is that it is expensive. Such a system is actually the use of cross-border ideas in the process of desertification control in sandy areas, with the idea of coastal seawater desalination, the development of water-saving modern agriculture, but combined with the actual situation in sandy areas, increase the water recycling technology.

In arid and semi-arid regions, employing diversified planting methods is more effective in enhancing the added value of specialty agricultural products through the cultivation of unique and high-quality crops. In areas with abundant water resources or high-altitude arid regions, the choice of crops for cultivation will inevitably differ. Practices such as crop rotation, stubble retention, and soil improvement measures are essential in farming. Although these knowledge and techniques may seem as simple to agricultural scientists working in arid and semi-arid environments as the alphabet ABC in foreign language learning, achieving satisfactory economic returns in practice is not always easy. This is because the working conditions are harsh, and one must also understand product management and how to interact with local residents.

In sandy areas, due to the arid and unstable climate, there is a higher risk associated with large-scale monoculture farming activities. Considering this, the sustainability benefits of intercropping and crop rotation are more favorable. In arid and semi-arid sandy regions, it is crucial to pay special attention to the risks associated with long-term large-scale monoculture cultivation. Many agricultural management methods implemented in plains and areas with abundant water resources are not suitable.

Green forest belt at the edge of sandy area.

From the current technology, the cheapest and most effective way to fix soil is to create shelterbelts, woodlands and grasslands. Generally, windbreaks in sandy areas should be composed of drought-tolerant trees and shrubs combined with grassland to reduce soil erosion and soil moisture loss. Drought, climate change, agricultural cultivation, overgrazing and deforestation are the root causes of ecological degradation in sandy areas. Studies have shown that vegetation plays an important role in determining the biological composition of soil. In many environments, the rate of soil erosion and runoff decreases exponentially as the area covered by vegetation increases. It is a basic measure to control desertification to let the edge of the sandy area grow vegetation that consumes less water. Strengthening such greening is particularly critical, especially when these areas are subject to wetter climate cycles. Since the implementation of the Great Plains Shelterbelt project in the United States in the 1930s, the implementation of shelterbelt construction projects in desertification areas has been regarded as one of the important means to resist desertification. The world has carried out the Soviet Union's Stalin Shelterbelt project, China's three northern Shelterbelts, coastal shelterbelts, plain shelterbelts and other national projects.At present, the Sahel region of Africa is implementing the Great Green Wall of Africa project under the leadership of the United Nations, which has a positive impact on the improvement of the local ecological environment. The construction of these shelterbelts and many other regional shelterbelts has accumulated rich experience, which includes: the first is to implement water-saving measures, the second is to adapt to the land and trees, the third is to implement the combination of trees and grasses, the fourth is to adapt to local conditions, and the fifth is to combine technology and management. These experiences may not seem so "tall", some "old-fashioned", but they are definitely recognized as basic principles in the world. Forest management activities can not take into account the basic purpose of wood production, but the output result of forest management activities in the desert fringe area must be the ecological environment, and wood production must be an auxiliary product of forestry in the agro-pastoral zone. In the construction of the Sahel shelterbelt in Africa, the primary purpose is to trap sand and the auxiliary purpose is to provide fuelwood. The sustainable development methods recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations include: integrated management and sustainable development planning; Through the implementation of forestry ecological engineering, improve the carrying capacity; Through technical measures to reduce salt, improve soil permeability, increase natural vegetation; Construct flood control and water retention facilities in key areas, and develop water-saving facility agriculture; Using rainwater collection and water recycling technology; Implement rotational grazing to reduce overgrazing of land; Strengthen training in sustainable agricultural and animal husbandry operations and improve operational capacity.

The agricultural system in Death Valley Desert.

Death Valley, located in Inyo County, California, is situated in the southeastern part of Southern California, with the town of El Centro serving as a central point. The region experiences high temperatures and very low average annual rainfall of only 76 millimeters, making it arid and hot. The soil in Death Valley is deep and fertile, once part of floodplains formed by rivers. However, due to changes in river courses and reduced precipitation, it has gradually transformed into a desert landscape.

To the east of Death Valley lies the Colorado River, while to the west partially lies the Salton Sea. Its western border extends to the outskirts of San Diego. To the north lies the Coachella Valley region of Riverside County, which, together with Death Valley, forms the Coachella Basin. The valley is named after the Imperial Land Company, which engaged in land development activities in the area. The cultural blend of American and Mexican influences characterizes the region, attracting immigrants drawn to agricultural activities that rely on inexpensive labor to drive the agricultural economy.

Crop circles in the desert.

In order to develop the Imperial Valley, the Boulder Canyon Project Act of 1928 was authorized by the federal government, and construction began in the 1930s by the United States Bureau of Land Reclamation (also translated as the Bureau of Reclamation) and six companies, including the All-American Canal and Hoover Dam, Empire Dam, etc., which were incorporated into the project and completed in 1942. The 130km canal, called All America, carries water from the Colorado River to the Imperial Valley and nine surrounding cities. The dam and canal are owned by the Federal Bureau of Reclamation but managed by the Imperial Valley Irrigation District.

The Imperial Dam is located on the Colorado River about 48 kilometers northeast of Yuma, Arizona, and it channels water into the All-American Canal. The canal is west of Calsico, California, and heads north into the Imperial Valley. The canal is the only water supply in the Imperial Valley, replacing the Alamo Canal as the only water supply from southern California to the Mexican border. Five smaller canals along the American Canal carry water into the Valley of the Kings. These canal systems irrigate 250,000 hectares of land and greatly increase crop yields in the region.

Based on the experience of intensive agricultural operations in the sandy lands of the Central United States, techniques that can be used in intensive agricultural operations include drip irrigation, the use of organic residues or animal manure as fertilizer and soil improvement measures, and other traditional agricultural management practices. Efficient agricultural practices under modern intensive management practices protect the soil from erosion by wind and other factors. Scientific research has found that plant growth improves the vitality of soil bacteria, improves the resistance of plants to stressful conditions, and alleviates desertification.

An irrigation system from the All American Canal brings water from the Colorado River to the Salton Sea via the Alamo and New Rivers. Historically, the Salton Sea has served as a discharge lake for the Colorado River, and during floods, the lake was flooded to store excess water. The Salton Sea is periodically flooded by the Colorado River, and usually dries up before the Colorado River can refill the floodwaters. The canal system transports silt, selenium and salt from the Colorado River to the Salton Sea. With no outlet to the sea, these salts and minerals are concentrated through evaporation, leading to an increase in salinity in the soil.

Due to the lack of moisture in the desert air, there is enough light to make solar energy possible. In the Imperial Valley of California, the United States, after a series of water diversion and intensive management measures, showing a modern agricultural scene, a variety of biotechnology measures are playing a role here, the use of solar energy, but also make the agricultural development of this region colored green, for the world set up a poor desert area into an agricultural rich area of the "glorious image", many Middle Eastern countries envy. At present, many of the world's major consortia are coveting the solar energy resources of the Middle East desert, trying to learn from the "green development" experience of the American Valley of the Kings. Experts estimate that the potential for solar energy in the Sahara desert is huge, the highest in the world, and if 10 percent of the solar energy in the Sahara desert could be used to provide all of the world's electricity needs.

Farmland mosaics in the Imperial Valley, southern California, USA

Integrated Biotechnology System.

In arid and semi-arid regions, implementing infrastructure projects can capitalize on ample solar energy resources in the desert areas, coordinating the use of water, soil, solar energy, and electricity, which is conducive to the recycling of water.

In 2011, "Desert Life" company in Egypt constructed an experimental project of an integrated biotechnology system by the seaside. This system is part of Egypt's large-scale desert reclamation plan, primarily addressing afforestation and agricultural issues.

The integrated biotechnology system is based on the hot and arid desert environment, incorporating an overall concept designed with comprehensive technological solutions, integrating new systems such as greenhouse construction, seawater desalination, solar technology, and natural elements. This system, tailored to the characteristics of the hot desert environment, employs a closed-loop water circulation construction concept. The basic principle involves utilizing concentrated sunlight to evaporate seawater, collecting the condensed distilled water using installed devices, and then utilizing this distilled water for water-saving agricultural operations. According to current technology, desalinating one cubic meter of seawater requires 1.8 kWh of electricity, all of which is derived from solar and wind energy. The current experimental site has a core area of one hectare (about 15 acres), functioning as a largely self-sufficient production module. According to relevant reports, such a module can be replicated and expanded to 10 hectares or larger. This experimental site is specifically tailored for hot desert-type environments, and whether this solar-based intensive desert agricultural system can be adapted for cold desert environments remains unclear.

Integrated Biotechnology System.
Internationally, opinions on this technology vary. Some people compare this system to the well-known Biosphere 2, considering it a replica. In reality, numerous other experimental projects have been conducted in deserts worldwide. For instance, the "Greenhouse Village" aims to achieve a one-time water input by constructing a water circulation system to facilitate water reuse and reduce evaporation losses. Whether these technologies can achieve thorough desertification control is still unclear. Some technicians firmly believe that technology has the potential to alter not only lives but also deserts.